Authors: Scarlet Hyacinth
Tags: #Romance
Karein didn’t remember the last time when she had called him by the smaller version of his name. She only did so—or only referred to him as her son—when she had some sort of scheme and planned to use him somehow. Now, though, she seemed genuinely terrified. She was staring at him with wide eyes, no longer the empress, just a woman who could do nothing to stop the far more powerful foe killing her husband.
Beneath him, the red dragon’s form melted into that of a red-haired man. Karein analyzed him for a few moments before dismissing the peculiar occurrence. In two centuries, he’d never seen his own father, and he had no interest in it now. The man was a stranger, and in the blink of an eye, he could be a dead one.
But first, Karein needed to know a few things. Changing shapes once more, he glanced toward his mother. “The truth, Mother. Where is Sari?”
“We’ve already told you the truth,” Rowenasheb said. “He somehow managed to escape with your lieutenant. The people we had on his tail said he was unconscious. They were deterred by a sudden avalanche in the mountains.”
“Is that right?” Karein narrowed his eyes at her. “And why didn’t you continue searching? Why didn’t you send scouts?”
“We simply don’t care about Prince Sareltae,” she continued in a panic. “We got what we wanted. The war.”
“Oh, no, you didn’t.” Karein tightened his hold on his father, who was now barely breathing. “Because I won’t allow it.”
He’d have undoubtedly ended Kavehquader’s life right then and there had Sari’s voice now suddenly appeared in his mind.
“Don’t, Karein. You’re better than that. You’re better than them.”
Karein gasped, relief crushing him, almost making him collapse right there and then.
“Baby? Sari? What happened? Where are you?”
“I… I don’t really know.”
Sari still sounded confused a little.
“I’m with my mother.”
In his mind’s eye, Karein saw a lovely woman approaching Sari. Her resemblance to Sari clearly identified her as High Priestess Eanera. Thank the Overlords, Sari was safe.
“And our child?”
Karein insisted, almost unable to believe the truth.
“Fine,”
Sari replied softly.
“Can’t you feel it?”
Karein frowned a little, focusing on his bond with Sari. At first, Karein couldn’t quite tell what Sari was referring to, but then he sensed it, the spark of new life that hadn’t been there before. It shocked him so much that he finally remembered himself and realized what he’d been doing.
Shaken, Karein released the spell on his father and stepped back. His mother practically crawled to his father’s side. The sight made Karein shockingly uncomfortable, but he didn’t have the time to dwell on it. He realized that, during his fight with his parents, several guards had entered the throne room. They were now standing in the doorway, gaping at Karein and his parents.
Technically speaking, the duties of the draechen soldiers included protecting the imperial couple. However, draechen tradition dictated that the emperors could be challenged, mostly by their own descendants, but also by other draechen who didn’t even share the emperor’s lineage. This was the reason why recent emperors had taken to remain in their shifted form at all times while in public, for a show a strength that would deter any potential challenger. Sadly, this brought Karein in the somewhat frustrating position of automatically being chosen as the next draechen leader.
Predictably, all the guards went on their knees and bowed their heads. “We live and die by your command, Your Majesty!” they shouted.
Karein had no interest in being emperor. He was a soldier, not a bureaucrat, and he had little patience for politics. He rushed to clarify the situation. “The former emperor is indisposed. Make sure he and my mother are secured in a safe area. When the new emperor, my brother, returns, he will give you further orders.”
One of the guards opened his mouth, as if meaning to protest, but Karein just arched a brow and the man thought better of it. Good. Karein had someplace to be. His mate was waiting, and he couldn’t linger here much longer. As he left the throne room, he reached out to his mate once more.
“Tell me, baby. How do I come to you?”
He saw the answer in Sari’s mind. Of course. Eternelle. Karein had learned of its enduring existence when he had mated Sari. He should have figured out that Eanera had taken her son there. As quickly as possible, he rushed through the corridors, ignoring the confused and somewhat panicked looks other draechen threw his way. Finally, he left the palace and reached the cliff. Paying no heed to the way his own people were watching him, he melted into his dragon form and launched himself into the sky.
It was almost foolish that he hadn’t realized the reason why his dragon had wanted to stop during his trip toward Germany, but now was no time for regrets. Karein pushed away every thought that wasn’t related to Sari from his mind and focused solely on his mate.
“Tell me again,”
he said.
“Tell me you’re all right.”
Sari’s soft laughter came to him through their bond.
“I’m just fine. But why don’t you hurry here to see for yourself?”
Karein had every intention to do exactly that. In fact, he planned to never leave his mate’s side again. He was no fool. He might have taken out one enemy, but this wouldn’t magically solve all their problems. It was like with legendary hydras. He had cut one head off, but undoubtedly, more would sprout. Ironically, he was fairly certain real hydras died when decapitated, but that really didn’t matter right now. The only thing that did was Karein’s renewed resolve to love and protect his mate forever. He wouldn’t fail the person closest to his heart. He wouldn’t fall in the same mistake he’d committed before he’d even been born. This time, the power of the black dragon would serve to keep Sari safe, no matter what happened.
But even as he flew away from Draechenburg, a voice kept whispering in his mind, the same one Karein had been trying to avoid.
“Go back,”
it said.
“Kill them. Destroy them all.”
It wasn’t Sari, so Karein ignored it. But how much longer would it take for it to turn against his mate? Karein didn’t know, and that scared him.
* * * *
Sari paced in front of the obelisk, feeling worried and impatient. He could keep track of his mate’s progress as Karein made his way toward him, but Karein’s emotions were still all over the place. Karein’s fear for Sari’s life seemed to have stirred old wounds, awakening a guilt Sari hadn’t even been aware of.
He was so lost in thought that when a soft hand pressed against his shoulder, he released a gasp and jumped back, instinctively throwing a shield in front of himself. Caelyn shot him a surprised look. “Are you all right?” he asked.
Sari deflated and cancelled his spell. “Just…restless, I guess.”
With a soft smile, Caelyn walked to his side. “Come on,” he said, taking Sari’s hand. “Tell me.”
They sat together at the foot of the obelisk, right next to the spot where Sari had found the strange wooden wolf. Sari remembered that, technically speaking, the toy had belonged to Caelyn and Graham, and he’d never apologized for taking it. “I stole one of the wolves Graham carved for your son. Sorry.”
Caelyn gave him a confused look. “Huh? Sari, what in the world are you talking about? Take a deep breath and start from the beginning.”
So, Sari did. He told Caelyn everything that had happened since the last time they’d seen each other. As it turned out, Caelyn knew some things, having been kept informed by the priestesses. The details of Sari’s relationship with Karein were, however, all new. Caelyn listened in silence, never letting go of Sari’s hand. As he spoke, Sari was reminded how much their friendship had always meant to him and how easily Caelyn understood him.
He was reluctant to confess some of the more private things Karein had shared with him, but he knew Caelyn didn’t mind. At one point, he had to address something that had bothered him ever since he’d met Karein. “You shot my mate. With a crossbow.”
“Oh.” Caelyn blinked, as if surprised by the words. “Well, I did what I had to do. At the time, I thought Karein was my enemy.”
“Yeah, I know.” Sari groaned, very aware that Karein hadn’t been exactly nice to Caelyn’s mate, Graham. It was unreasonable for him to hold a grudge for something like that. “I’m all over the place, Lyni. This is so very confusing. Today, something really strange happened, and I feel like Karein is a Pandora box of secrets.”
At that, Karein’s voice drifted into his mind.
“I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Just… Don’t be afraid of me, all right? I don’t think I could bear it.”
“Never,”
Sari answered.
“But something’s changed inside you, Karein. What is it?”
For a few moments, Karein didn’t answer. Sari’s concern for his mate increased. Caelyn must have noticed it, because he asked, “You’re talking to him now, right?”
When Sari nodded, the sprite continued, “Good. I admit I don’t know Karein that well. He was my enemy first, but he saved my life and that of my mate. So he strikes me as a person of contrasts. But I do know one thing. In spite of all his paradoxes, if what you say of him is true, he loves you. Trust him, Sari.”
“I do,” Sari answered. “I trust him with my life, my body, and my soul.” But he felt something inside Karein just now, something that he didn’t trust. He’d heard that voice, urging Karein to kill. It sounded like Karein himself…but not. How could he explain that to Caelyn without sounding like a complete lunatic?
Caelyn squeezed his hand again. “When we were on the road, Graham and I kept fighting over the most idiotic things. I know it’s not the same, but what I mean to say is that you and Karein are just getting accustomed to the mate bond. You’ll see that soon, Karein will open his heart completely to you. Just give him time. He’s a private man, with a lot of secrets.”
A chuckle sounded in Sari’s mind.
“I knew I liked him for a reason. He’s just like you, always so kind and diplomatic.”
“So you were attracted to Caelyn because he superficially resembled me? Wow.”
Sari might have actually been a little jealous at the thought, but he had greater concerns. Caelyn kissed his cheek and got up. “I’ll leave you alone to talk to him now. Whenever you want to see me, I’m here for you.”
“Thanks,” Sari replied. “I will.”
As Caelyn walked away, Sari leaned against the obelisk and focused on his mate. Karein was close to Eternelle now. Sari would have asked his mate for an explanation that would actually make sense—unlike the whirlwind of strange and somewhat unfamiliar emotions now invading their bond—but he wanted Karein to hold him when he gave Sari the answers he sought.
“I’ll hold you for as long as you like me to,”
Karein replied.
“Just as long as you don’t let other men kiss you.”
That was a strange comment to make, especially when coupled with the odd jealousy now rushing through their bond. Karein had just said that he liked Caelyn, and now he was angry because Caelyn had kissed Sari’s cheek. His mate’s possessiveness had always made Sari feel safe and protected, but not this time. This time, there was a touch of genuine hostility, maybe even hatred behind it. Now more than ever, Sari desperately wanted to see Karein, to make sure his mate was okay.
He didn’t have to wait for much longer, as soon, he spotted a dark shape against the horizon. There was no panic among the priestesses, and Sari guessed his mother must have spoken to them. Of course, the idea of draechen in Eternelle didn’t scare them since the monument was dedicated to Prince Kaelezrin, too. Judging by the strange gift Sari had received, perhaps the draechen prince still inhabited these lands.
As Karein approached, Sari shot to his feet. He found himself running while still gazing up at the sky, which made him stumble as he ran into someone he hadn’t seen. The person in question, Sage, steadied him and said, “Easy there. I’m sure General Shtamakarein wouldn’t appreciate you hurting yourself in your eagerness to meet with him.”
Sage still puzzled Sari a little. He seemed completely unfazed by Eternelle, even if he hadn’t known about its existence before. But Sari suspected that, deep inside, Sage wanted to see Karein, too. After all, the ice dragon had abandoned everything to rescue Sari. He needed some reassurance that he hadn’t lost his chance to be with his mate. Sari hadn’t told him what had happened in Draechenburg since the entire thing had shaken Sage’s trust in Sari.
“I’ll be more careful,” Sari replied. Taking Sage’s hand, he dragged the draechen after him. “Now come on. We’re wasting time.”
Sage complied, and they met Karein halfway. The huge black dragon landed and began to shift into his legged form. Sari gave him space, barely managing to contain his enthusiasm and anxiety. At last, when Karein stood in front of him as a man, Sari lunged forward and embraced his mate. Karein hugged him back, so tightly it almost hurt. “Oh, baby,” he whispered, “I thought I’d lost you.”
Sari didn’t answer, at least not by words. Instead, he swamped their bond with pure love, trying to chase the shadows of fear that still haunted Karein. In the meantime, Sage approached and bowed. “General Shtamakarein, I’m glad to see you arrive here safely.”
“You’ll be even happier to learn that my father won’t be a problem anymore.”
Even Sage couldn’t keep a straight face when Karein said that. “You killed the emperor?”
That same strange force stirred at the back of Karein’s mind, flooding both him and Sari with discontent. “No, although likely I should have.”
Sari squeezed his mate’s waist, and Karein shook himself, frowning. “In any case,” he continued, “I’m not taking over. I will allow Hareem to do so. We’ll return to Draechenburg soon, so you don’t have to worry about losing touch with your family or your mate.”